Nissan raises bar with 2006 Titan 4X4 SE

When designing the Titan, Nissan measured all the other pickups and decided to raise the bar. It was the first truly full-size pickup in nearly 25 years from anyone other than the Big Three, and the first ever from a company whose world headquarters are located outside of North America. Titan is big and roomy, and it delivers plenty in terms of styling and performance.

For 2006, there are no major changes, just minor adjustments to standard equipment and options. Designed in California, the Titan is built near Jackson, Mississippi, and its high-tech V8 is built near Nashville, Tennessee. Clever innovations improve on other traditional pickups. Among them: a factory-applied spray-in bed liner, a C-channel tie down system for securing cargo and accessories, and a stash box integrated into the driver's-side rear fender for storing a tow hitch or other small items.

A dampened tailgate assist reduces effort when opening and closing the tailgate. The Nissan Titan delivers incredible performance with a powerful 300 horsepower 5.6-liter V8 and responsive five-speed automatic. Driving this vehicle is a pleasure. As I test drove the vehicle up I-70 to Frisco, it offered brilliant throttle response. Its power train is perhaps the most responsive among the full-size pickups with comparable engines.

The Titan's engine delivers 379 pound-feet of torque, which is particularly important when towing and hauling and propels you from intersections and pulls heavy trailers up long grades. The big V8 4WD version ($36,555) gets an EPA estimated rating of 14/18 mpg with regular unleaded recommended. Towing capacity is 9,500 pounds, which is more often seen in heavy-duty ton trucks, not light-duty -ton trucks like the Titan.

Inside, the Nissan Titan feels spacious yet snug at the same time. It is also well organized, with handy storage bins and spaces to tuck stuff away.

Crew Cabs feature four full-size doors, adding greatly to comfort and convenience. Crew Cabs have 5 -foot beds, trading a foot of bed space for roomy rear seats and more interior cargo room. If you are looking for a work truck with room and need to tow anything, the 2006 Nissan Titan is a serious pickup with brilliant performance.

Denis lives in Bailey with his wife Jeanie. They own the Mountain Man Nut & Fruit store in the Bergen Villiage shopping center.